Research Log Entry
I chose to change my topic for this assignment. Below, is my updated "sizing" activity.
- Topic string – ArtArt is often divided into more specific categories according to technique, form, genre and style. Photography is a form of visual art.
- Broadest Topic – Photography
Although it is important for photographers to have a clear understanding of both the technical and compositional elements of photography, having adequate equipment and supplies can also make a significant difference in the outcome of a photograph.
- Next Broad Topic – Photographic Equipment
There are several different types of photographic equipment including film, lenses, filters, etc. However, the camera is definitely the most basic piece of equipment (not to mention the most important).
- Narrower Topic – The Camera
Over the years, the basic point and shoot camera has evolved as a result of several technological advancements. Single-lens reflex cameras have now been replaced with touch-screen digital cameras. But where did it all begin? The basic foundation for the construction of today’s cameras was built upon the idea of the Camera Obscura, or the Pinhole Camera – a lensless camera with a small hole (or “pinhole”) through which light passes and enters to form an image on a light-sensitive medium such as film.
- Even Narrower Topic – Camera Obscura/Pinhole Camera
(Side note: Cameras and equipment can be quite expensive. However, Pinhole Cameras can easily be made by using common household materials. Making and using a pinhole camera will acquaint you with the basic elements of photography while providing an inexpensive and interesting way to take pictures.) - Think of two questions that you could ask about your topic
a.What is a pinhole camera?
b. How does a pinhole camera work to produce a photographic image?
Catalog Search Results
Bibliographic Information
- Author – (German) Günter Derleth with additional texts by Paul Liebhardt and Pia M. Grüber. (Translation from German) – Suzy & John Godsey
- Title –
- Edition - Edition Stemmle
- Place of Publication – (German) –
- Date of publication – 2000
Additional Information
- Location - Oversized Stacks (ff)
- Call Number - TR650 .D47 2000
- Status - ON THE SHELF
- Derleth, Günter, 1941 (Catalogs)
I chose to use the Subject Heading “Photography, Pinhole” because it was most relevant to my topic. This gave me Select the subject heading that is most relevant to your topic. After following this link to the Subject Heading Index, I found that there was only one result for that particular subject heading. Therefore, I had an equal number of results through the use of subject headings as I did through the use of a keyword search. Because there was only one result for each search, I was presented with the same information. Luckily, from what I could tell, the information was relevant to my topic. However, in other instances, I would assume that subject headings would provide results that are most relevant because the search is more refined to a specific topic.
Using subject headings is very similar to the idea of "sizing" your topic. In fact, the concept may be much easier to grasp if one considers it as simply "sizing” the results search. When you do a keyword search, you are presented with results which contain any, one, none, or all of your keywords (the keyword(s) is similar to your “broad/large topic”). From here, you can select a result which is more relevant to your topic (this selection is similar to your “next broad topic”). After doing so, you are then able to further refine your search by using subject headings. You are now able to choose a subject heading which is most relevant to your topic (this selection is similar to your “narrower topic”). Once you have selected a subject heading, you are taken to the Subject Heading Index. Here, you are presented with results that are not only related to your keyword, but mores specifically, refined by your subject heading. Hence, the result you choose is more likely to be extremely relevant to your topic (these results can be considered your “narrowest topic”).
Although both keywords and subject headings are programmed searches through coding, they have different characteristics. The differences between key words and subject headings are as follows:
- Keywords use unstructured language | Subject Headings use structured language
- There is no human intervention in the use of keywords | Subject Headings are assigned by humans
Ultimately, although keyword searches may return several results, subject headings are more refined and will return results that are even more relevant to a specific topic.
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Wow! You really get at it. Good for you. Your work is always very thorough. With only 1 subject heading, you basically got into a loop, where you clicked on the subject heading and you were basically taken into the index only to discover that this was the only book that had that subject heading, so you were just taken back to the same book.
ReplyDeleteYou presume correctly when it comes to subject headings because they are generally more specific; however, I'm not sure that I agree with your analogy because you can have some very broad subject headings, like "Psychology" or "Art." The key is that they are on topic because someone has looked at that item and assigned a structured subject heading from a prescribed set of structured-language headings, also created by human beings. That's what makes subject headings work--the system is structured and assigned by human beings. That kind of intellectual application to the concept of subject headings isn't part of keyword searches, which are entirely machine controlled.